What does Bergonzi think about the difference is between homosexual and heterosexual students and teachers in music?

Louis Bergonzi(1) is a professor of music education and a strings conductor at the university of Illinois he has written several books including Rounds and Canons for Strings: Shaping Musical Independence, Teaching Music through Performance in Orchestra Vol 1 and 2, Americans' Musical Preferences, and Effects of Art Education on Participation in the Arts. Most importantly he has written Sexual Orientation and music Education: Continuing a tradition(2). In this article Bergonzi talks about the heterosexual norms and homosexual dilemmas of todays music education programs. We think that Bergonzi is over exaggerating these norms and dilemmas he portrays homosexual people as people who have everyone against them. We feel that Bergonzi is making the topic of homosexuality to stereotyped and generic. We feel as if he is making all homosexual students seem as though they all feel outcast and unable to deal with the fact that they are homosexual. While some students do feel this way not all of them do. We think that the issue of homosexual students in music is not as much an issue but a small obstacle that can easily be solved. The best way to solve this obstacle is through understanding how sexual orientation plays into musical interests, figuring out if there is a difference between heterosexual and homosexual students in the classroom, and finally understand how to make sure that those differences in sexual preference dont affect our choir as a whole.
1. http://blackboard.rider.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-159084-dt-content-rid-314678_1/courses/ME-17102-11FA/Bergonzi%20-%20Sexual%20Orientation.pdf 2. http://www.giamusic.com/bios/bergonzi_louis.cfm

How can we as music educators help students? When teachers are confronted by their students about sexual orientation, teachers sometimes seen hesitant to respond. The teachers might think that by avoiding their students concerns, they have prevented an enormous problem. Is this the best way we can approach any students concern? Teachers need to address every topic involving the students. The Bergonzi article states "heterosexual students more advantage than homosexual students in a classroom". As educators it is our duty to help all of our students to be comfortable and confident in order for them to succeed in any environment. We as teachers also need to become aware of the resources that are offered to the students that are homosexual. One example of these resources is the LGBT groups(1). These groups consist of making a safer for students to easily express their sexual orientation. If a parent has any question or concerns, or any discriminatory situations arise as music educators we can direct our students to groups that can help explain and support these issues. It is important for us to respond to our students needs with out any hesitation. Another way we can help our students is by incorporating song from homosexual composers into our repertoire. Samuel Barber was a great American composer born on March 9, 1910. He

composed many orchestra, operas, choral music, and others. One example of his works is Sure On This Shining Night (2). This song a choral version that can be applied to any repertoire. Another great classical composer is Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein was on July 22, 1918. He was one of the few educated conductor and musician in America. He was also was a very talented pianist. Leonard Bernstein composed the song some where from West Side Story (3). Bernstein's music can also be incorporated into your repertoire as an orchestra teacher. There are many ways we can help our students build their confidence. Educators should be aware of there resources that are offered to the students. 1. http://www.gsanetwork.org/ 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKBpKTdxj8 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X22IQaGlSqg Is there really a difference between Homosexual teachers? Bergonzi talks about the advantages that heterosexual and the disadvantages that homosexuals have in a classroom setting. We have interviewed 4 people about this issue. Three said that we are human and have the right to express themselves. One person felt that there is a difference due their experiences. Our opinion is there is no difference between heterosexual and homosexual teachers or students, because everyone has an individual way of expressing and interpreting their thoughts and emotions. In order to decrease discrimination against a person's sexual orientation we must provide our students the tools that will help our students and faculty become more aware. LGBT groups can help students become advocates for their right as human beings.

What can we change to make sure there is no difference between homo and heterosexual teachers in music? Changing the prejudice between homosexual and heterosexual teachers is no easy task. We need to understand that even though there shouldnt be any conflict between the two orientations there is, and we need to understand that as teachers we cannot go running around pushing belief down students throats. Teachers must be secure in their own sexuality but they should not attack students who do not agree with them. As a homosexual teacher you need to be very careful with what you say about others and how you act toward students. With sites like these (1) that shows how people take innocent days like this "gay day" and twist them into horrible occurrences. We were taught to be prejudice as a child. Just by teaching us the difference between colors we learned that everything is different and we can accept or reject that particular difference. We are never taught to accept these differences to view things equal. As teachers our responsibility help our colleagues and students feel equal by establishing certain actions to improve the school environment.

1. http://www.massresistance.org/media/video/brainwashing.html

How does sexuality play into musical interests? We think that homosexual and heterosexual preference does not necessarily mean that you like a specific type of music. Some stereotypes of homosexual people are that homosexual men like songs like Britney spears Circus (1) or music in the category of pop music and that gay women like only folk music. This is not true at all, in fact this very question was posted onto yahoo answers.com (2) and most gay men answered that they like a large variety of music. They answered anything from the stereotypical pop and dance music to hard rock and rhythm and blues music. I for one know that lesbian or bisexual women dont all love folk music. Actually speaking from the viewpoint of bisexual women I can say that I dont fit the stereotype of liking folk music, I like very hard rock and alternative songs. We thought that if some people think the there is a difference between homosexual and heterosexual people and music preference then they must have an interesting look on homosexual and heterosexual people and they way they learn in musical situations. We interviewed a handful if people and asked them this very question. Two thirds said that there is no difference between heterosexual and homosexual people and learning in music (3). But some people did say that there are different experiences in learning between heterosexual and homosexual people. (4) I think that two thirds of our school will agree that there are no differences between heterosexual and homosexual people. But I think that all of the school would wholeheartedly agree that there shouldnt have to be any separation between heterosexual and homosexual people.
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVhJ_A8XUgc&ob=av3n 2. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090111125456AA4khqX 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T8q2G9CTsw&feature=youtu.be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9WOQ_wK7YQ 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5JUwwkT9SE

Conclusion Bergonzi wrote an article talking about sexual orientation in a classroom setting. He states that heterosexual teachers and students have more advantages than homosexual students and teachers. In this paper we try to give educators alternatives to approach these issues with their students. As

music educators we should never be hesitant in helping a student with any concerns that they might have. Incorporating arrangements that are composed by LGBT composers can help our students become more understanding and allow to know that anyone can be successful. Samuel Barber is a great LGBT composer. His arrangements can be used for choral ensembles. We also talk about possible songs by Barber like "Sure ON This Shining night" which can be appropriate for most high school repertoires. Another great composer is Leonard Bernstein. He was one of the first few American Educated musicians during his time. Bernstein composed "West Side Story " the musical. This can be a great way to work with instrumental ensembles. It is important for our students to also have of knowledge of the tools that are offered to them. One example could be the LGBT groups and their function in school. If we as teachers can create a safer environment for our students, they will become more confident and successful. We also had a deeper about the Bergonzi theory with four students for this campus. Three of the student disagreed with Bergonzi and said that everyone deserves to equal opportunities. Teachers should be very careful of how they express themselves amongst their peers and colleagues. No one should judge you for your sexual orientation. It is our job as educators to help our students feel equal in order for them to become successful.